Optimis attended the annual No5 Chambers Planning Law Update this week and took home some great updates on the changes in the planning world. New planning appeal guidelines come into force from start of April 2026, in relation to any new applications submitted thereafter. It is an attempt to speed up the appeal process and reduce the burden of additional appeal work. The process will mean that generally no new evidence will be able to be submitted during the appeal with the local planning authority’s case therefore reliant on the officer’s report and refusal reasons. Officers who recommend approval, subsequently overturned at committee, will be given limited opportunity to justify the Council’s new position. Ensuring that the applicant’s case is presented with an appeal in mind will become a more common theme in planning statements.